Normalization of T2 signal abnormalities in hemispheric white matter with liver transplant
- 13 August 2002
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wolters Kluwer Health in Neurology
- Vol. 59 (3) , 335-341
- https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.59.3.335
Abstract
Objective: To determine whether edema can be assessed by MRI using T2-weighted signal intensity of hemispheric white matter in cirrhotic patients. Methods: Fast-FLAIR and magnetization transfer images were obtained before (24) and after (11) liver transplantation. T2-weighted abnormalities on baseline scans and their time-course changes were analyzed and compared with MT ratios (MTR). Results: Fast-FLAIR baseline images showed faint to substantial, bilateral, symmetric increased signal intensity along the hemispheric white matter in or around the corticospinal tract in 23/24 patients. After liver transplantation the signal abnormalities gradually recovered. This gradual decrease in signal intensity correlated with an increase in MTR values. Conclusion: Asymptomatic symmetric high-signal intensity in the hemispheric white matter on fast-FLAIR MR images is present in cirrhosis. Normalization of this finding after successful liver transplantation and its correlation with MTR values suggest that this signal abnormality reflects mild edema.Keywords
This publication has 33 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effects of Ammonia Exposition on Glioma Cells: Changes in Cell Volume and Organic Osmolytes Studied by Diffusion-Weighted and High-Resolution NMR SpectroscopyDevelopmental Neuroscience, 2000
- Ammonia and GABA-ergic neurotransmission: Interrelated factors in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathyHepatology, 1997
- Hepatic encephalopathy and brain edema in acute hepatic failure: Does glutamate play a role?Hepatology, 1997
- Memantine, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist improves hyperammonemia-induced encephalopathy and acute hepatic encephalopathy in ratsHepatology, 1997
- A reproducible repositioning method for serial magnetic resonance imaging studies of the brain in treatment trials for multiple sclerosisJournal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 1997
- Astrocytic-Ammonia Interactions in Hepatic EncephalopathySeminars in Liver Disease, 1996
- The Neurobiology of Hepatic EncephalopathySeminars in Liver Disease, 1996
- Pallidal lesions in patients with liver cirrhosis: clinical and MRI evaluationMetabolic Brain Disease, 1995
- MR imaging of the basal ganglia in chronic liver disease: correlation of T1-weighted and magnetisation transfer contrast measurements with liver dysfunction and neuropsychiatric statusMetabolic Brain Disease, 1995
- Ammonia: Key factor in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathyNeurochemical Pathology, 1987